Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Turn right on East Rutland and walk four blocks to North Vermont Street.
On this part of the walk, you'll pass many turn-of-the-century cottages, some
of which have been converted to businesses such as the English Tea Room at
734 East Rutland. East Rutland also has several bed-and-breakfasts, includ-
ing Blue Willow and Camellia House. At the intersection of East Rutland and
North Columbia Street, to the left, is the Columbia Street Landing, which
sits along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River. Bogue Falaya Park is just off
North New Hampshire Street. The park is not included on this tour, but feel
free to detour and then make your way back to East Rutland.
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At North Vermont Street, turn right and then right again onto East Boston
Street, the district's main drag. At 428 E. Boston is the newly renovated
Southern Hotel, which opened in 1907 as a retreat for visitors who enjoyed
the nearby piney woods and mineral springs. The hotel closed in the 1960s,
and over the next several decades, the property housed a drugstore, govern-
ment offices, and courthouses. After Hurricane Katrina, it served as the
headquarters for the Red Cross and various federal agencies. Local deve-
lopers bought the property in 2011 and set out to restore and reopen it as a
luxury hotel. In addition to its 42 guest rooms, the hotel has a lush courtyard,
a ballroom, an upscale bar, a fitness room, and spa services. Its restaurant,
Oxlot 9, boasts an award-winning chef, Jeffrey Hansell, who has worked
with the likes of chefs Tory McPhail (Commander's Palace) and John Besh
(Domenica, Borgne, Restaurant August, etc.). Other dining destinations on
East Boston include Del Porto Ristorante, Buster's Place Restaurant and
Oyster Bar, and Vazquez Poboy.
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Walk two blocks to North Columbia Street, cross East Boston, and walk
three blocks to East Lockwood Street. North Columbia is an art lover's
haven, with numerous galleries, cafés, specialty shops, and antiques stores
lining the street. They include Tripolo Gallery, which represents more than a
dozen artists, and Savoye Originals, known for functional art made of re-
cycled and reclaimed materials. Stop in H. J. Smith and Sons General Store
and Museum, a Covington institution since 1876. The store sells everything
from hardware and army surplus to coonskin caps and rubber boots. Among
the items on display at the museum are a hand-operated washing machine, a
1920s gas pump, and other memorabilia from the 1870s through the early
part of the 20th century.
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Just down the block at 320 N. Columbia is the home of the St. Tammany Art
Association, which was founded in 1958 by a small group of individuals ded-
